Ghosts No. 82 Cover by Luis Dominguez

Up this time is another fantastic cover by Argentinian Luis Dominguez (1923–1990).

With great composition and tonal control, his attention to detail with an expressive line had great emotional depth. It was perfect for horror and gritty westerns. DC put him to good use on those.

Colour by me.

The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze

Once I was happy but now I’m forlorn
Like an old coat that is tattered and town
Left on this wide world to fret and to mourn,
Betrayed by a maid in her teens

The girl that I loved she was handsome
I tried all I knew her to please
But I could not please her one quarter so well
Like that man up on the Trapeze

CHORUS
He’d fly through the air with the greatest of ease
A daring young man on the flying Trapeze
His movements were graceful, all girls he could please
And my love he purloined away

This young man by name was Signor Bona Slang
Tall, big, and handsome as well made as Chang
Where’er he appeared the Hall loudly rang
With ovation from all people there

He’d smile from the bar on the people below
And one night he smiled on my love

She winked back at him and she shouted, “Bravo!”
As he hung by his nose up above!

CHORUS

Her father and mother were both on my side
And very hard tried to make her my own bride
Her father he sighed and her mother she cried
To see her throw herself away

‘Twas all no avail she went there ev’ry night
And would throw him Boquets on the stage
Which caused him to meet her, how he ran me down
To tell you would take a whole page

CHORUS

One night I as usual went to her dear home,
Found there her father and mother alone
I asked for my love and soon they made known
To my horror that she’d run away!

She’d packed up her box and eloped in the night

With him with the greatest of ease
From two stories high, he had lowered her down
To the ground on his flying Trapeze!

CHORUS

Some months after this I went to a Hall
Was greatly surprised to see on the wall
A bill in red letters which did my heart gall,
That she was appearing with him

He taught her gymnastics and dressed her in tights
To help him to live at his ease
And made her assume a masculine name
And now she goes on the Trapeze!

She floats through the air with the greatest of ease
You’d think her a man on the flying Trapeze
She does all the work while he takes his ease
And that’s what’s become of my love

As published.

Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.

Art made production ready.

New colour version.

Re-created trade dress added.